Iran Cracks Down on Internet Cafes

Below:

Next story in Security

Iran has announced a set of 20 stringent guidelines aimed at
keeping tabs on Internet use at cybercafés and furthering the
government's total control over the private Web surfing of its
citizens.

Under the new rules, cybercafés are required to register the
name, father's name, national ID number, postal code and
telephone number of all cybercafé customers. Café owners are
required to
keep customers' personal information as well as a record of
the websites they visit for six months, and should deny Internet
use to anyone who does not show their ID.

The Internet clampdown comes as another strictly governed nation,
Belarus, announced a new law, effective tomorrow (Jan. 6),
which mandates that anyone doing business in the country must use
the domestic ".by" domain for services, online sales and email
exchanges.

Iran's rules prohibit the use of any tools like virtual private
networks (VPNs) that allow customers to access banned websites.
More draconian, however, is rule 17, which requires that
cybercafé owners install closed-circuit TV cameras and keep video
records for six months.

Announced
Jan. 3, Internet café owners have 15 days to implement the
guidelines.

The international news organization
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty said the Internet
restrictions are ostensibly designed to increase security and
prevent the "theft of information," but that the rules may also
be part of Iran's plan to launch a national Internet, which some
speculate could occur in the next two weeks.